Life, 1915-11-25 · page 15 of 44
Life — November 25, 1915 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main illustration depicts a figure emerging from a large head labeled "DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES" (Germany Above All), showing German militarism/imperialism personified. The radiating lines suggest an explosion or revelation of the ideology's contents. The accompanying text is a dialogue between a father and son named Harold about economics and citizenship. The father explains the difference between "domestic economy" (personal spending) and "political economy" (national spending), using this to teach Harold about fiscal responsibility and generational burdens—likely referencing post-WWI debt and reparations. The secondary section titled "It Reminded Him" discusses books and the French Revolution's aftermath, comparing historical upheaval to contemporary concerns. A brief "Substitute" dialogue appears at the bottom about a drug prescription. The overall page satirizes economic anxiety and historical parallels during what appears to be the interwar period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
it, because nobody cares any more. Everybody likes to talk about it, but we are really proud that we owe so much.” “But, papa, how did New York get the money?” “Oh, borrowed it.” “The way you borrow from mother when you are hard up?” “Um. You mustn't confuse political economy with domestic economy. The two things are different. In domestic economy you spend more than you make. In political economy you spend more than posterity makes.” “But why do they call it political economy when it seems to me it is only spending?” “That is their little joke.” “Well, father, I am only an ignorant little boy, and you must excuse me if I seem to be dull. But I am so anxious to learn, because my teacher says I am a future citizen of this Republic and will have burdens to bear. What are they?” “ You'll have the burdens we will leave you; but don’t worry, Harold. You can pass ‘em on to the next generation.” “And is that what every generation does?” “Of course.” There was a consider- able pause. At last Harold said: “Say, father, if this keeps up, won't everything bust up some day in New York?” 999 “Harold, you are really a bright boy, but you must get rid of your worrying disposition, which you probably in- herited from some remote New Eng- land ancestor, and which you must eliminate if you would be happy in New York. Live in the present, Har- old. That is what all the rest of us are doing.” “TI will try to, father; but it’s awful to think that nothing is paid for. Doesn't that mean all the hotels, houses, railroads, buildings, automo- biles and everything?” “T'm afraid it does, Harold.” “Why don't they pay and start all over again?” “They don't have “But some day— “Look here, Harold, that will do. When that day comes we'll move to Kansas. Now, go up-stairs to bed, and before you go just hand me that en- velope of unpaid bills over there, will you?” It Reminded Him OOKS were accumulating in his library. “Tt reminds me of Gladstone and his house that overflowed so with books. “Will any one care for books again? In the revolution that will follow the war, where will books come out? “And Gladstone; where will he come out? And Bismarck? All the men in modern history who are re- membered at all will be revalued. Some that seemed wise will look fool- ish in the light of the great war: some - that seemed foolish will look wise. A great re-estimation and reappraisal of things and people is on the way. “But it may run through fifty years. The reappraisal that followed the French Revolution is not over yet. This war, indeed, may be rated as part of it.” Substitute 'USTOMER (to drug clerk): Do you keep Dr. Pirate’s Peculiar Prescription. Druc Cterk (absent-mindedly) : No, but we have something just as bad. comicbooks.com